Latest KFF Health News Stories
It’s Time For A Chronic Health Care Bailout
To get to universal coverage in a fiscally sound way, we need to come up with a “chronic care bailout” plan. The way to do this is through health payment reform.
Fernando Arriola, 58, had full health coverage for years at his former job, but since starting his own contracting business, there are no affordable coverage options for him and his wife. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
Health On The Hill: Baucus Asks Finance Committee For Truman-Like ‘Courage’
As the Senate Finance Committee devolved into partisan infighting about health overhaul legislation, chairman Max Baucus quoted Harry Truman’s advice to show some courageous, skillful leadership, and seize the opportunity to change things for the better.
Baucus Bill Doesn’t Bend Cost Curve Enough, Experts Say
Some analysts are praising Sen. Max Baucus’ health overhaul as a good start on a tough task but they worry that key provisions will be weakened during debate.
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine how the health overhaul would affect medicare.
Baucus Offers Modified Version Of Finance Committee Chairman’s Mark
The modifications are designed to make health insurance more affordable for low- and middle-income Americans by increasing the Health Care Affordability Tax Credit and lowering the penalties for people who fail to meet the individual requirement to have health insurance. See related news summaries.
Senate Finance Committee Press Release On Bill Modifications
The Senate Finance Committee released a press release summarizing the major modifications to the Chariman’s Mark.
‘Cadillac Plan’ Video: The Stabbe Family
Mitch Stabbe and Marjorie Goldman treasure their “Cadillac” plan health insurance, even though it costs more than $20,000 in premiums per year. Their son, Bryan, has Crohn’s disease, which means very expensive treatments. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
‘Cadillac Plan’ Video: Rusty and Deb Lovell
Deb and Rusty Lovell are not the kind of people you would expect to have “gold-plated” health insurance. Deb works at a community college and earns a little over $30,000 a year. But the health benefits she gets from the New Hampshire government have made a huge difference in their lives. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
For Some Families, ‘Cadillac’ Health Insurance Is Priceless
For two families, “gold-plated” health insurance has made a huge difference in the health care they receive. But it’s not always the rich who get these benefits, and they worry about what a possible tax on plans would do to their health coverage.
Transcript: Health On The Hill – September 21, 2009
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
Facing Aging Without Health Insurance
Fernando Arriola, 58, had full health coverage for years at his former job, but since starting his own contracting business, there are no affordable coverage options for him and his wife. Part of our special series, “Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance,” produced in partnership with NPR.
Reform’s Bottom Line: It’s All About the Money
This week, just maybe, we’ll learn whether the Democrats and their allies can come up with the money to pay for health reform.
For Federal Workers, Insurance Plan Offers Many Choices
As part of our series co-produced with NPR, Are You Covered? A look at Americans and Health Insurance, today we profile Rhonda Dorsey and her daughter Toni, 13, who feel lucky to have health care coverage that helps to pay for Toni’s diabetes medicine.
Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Explained
As part of our series, “Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance,” KHN and NPR examine the federal health benefits program, which is considered a model for the nation.
Public Option? Arizona Has Had One For Years
As the debate continues on what might happen if the government enacts a public health care option, Arizona’s experience may serve as a touchstone. The state has offered small businesses a public option since 1985 – and it has gotten mixed reviews. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Some Insurers Trade In Jargon For Plain English
A number of insurers are replacing jargon with plain English. Aetna has published a book called “Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies.” CIGNA employees are taught, for example, that they should use “doctor” instead of “provider” in communicating with the public.
Confusing Insurance Jargon Prompts Call For Reform
Insurers sometimes make it difficult for consumers to understand and use their benefits. One U.S. senator has drafted legislation to hold insurers to higher standards, but the industry is already moving to make changes.
Economists Debate ‘Public Option’ On Health Care
The idea of creating a government-run health care plan to compete with regular insurance companies has received mixed grades among economists. The debate is over whether the plan would eliminate waste in the system as advertised.
Health Policy Experts Urge Congress To Abandon Ideological Differences On Overhaul
Veteran health policy experts urged lawmakers to put aside ideological differences and take immediate action to create broad based changes in the nation’s health care system.
